Far removed from the monotonous exchange of blaring police sirens and gratuitous horn-honking that seem to irrevocably inhabit the crowded intersection of Starcrest and Jones Maltsberger, Robert “Rob Bass” Helm sits quietly for a moment behind the boards in Studio A, lost in thought, but always one step ahead. To say that the moniker for his artist development company, V.I.P., evokes the kind of elegant imagery necessary to aspire for the finer perks of being a “very important person” once you’re in the family is an understatement:
“If we decide to work with you—that’s it,” he declares matter-of-factly. “We’re with you for the entire process.”
Of course the process he’s referring to accommodates a solo artist’s and/or band’s entire repertoire (or lack thereof), beginning with unrestricted studio time in one of the complex’s two, state-of-the-art recording facilities. Rob’s own office, complete with personal barber chair, lies conveniently just off of the kitchen, in between both. This, I infer, is no coincidence. Perception is nine-tenths of the battle in this unforgiving industry of entertainment, and these days, things are looking pretty good for V.I.P. Music Group...